At the end of the five-day 2025 African Water and Sanitation (AfWASA) Congress and Exhibition, officials pledged to fast-track universal access to clean water and improved sanitation across the continent in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by 2030.
The high-profile event, held on the shores of Lake Victoria at Speke Resort, Munyonyo in Kampala, ended on February 20. It attracted over 2,500 participants, including water utility officials, sanitation experts, civil society activists, government representatives and technology exhibitors from Africa and beyond.
During discussions, stakeholders formally agreed to share innovations, training programs, and practical solutions to accelerate progress toward SDG 6, which calls for universal access to safe water and equitable sanitation services. However, despite numerous commitments, progress remains slow, and the statistics are alarming.
Currently, 440 million people—30% of Africa’s population (1.4 billion)—lack access to clean water. The sanitation situation is even worse, with 779 million people (52%) lacking basic sanitation facilities. These figures underscore the daunting challenge ahead for AfWASA and its stakeholders, who will reconvene next year in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to assess progress and chart the way forward.
In his closing remarks, Olivier Gosso, executive director of AfWASA, urged officials to implement the ideas and innovations discussed.
“The congress has reinforced our collective commitment to sustainable water management and improved sanitation service delivery. As we reflect on the key takeaways, we must translate these conversations into action,” Gosso stated.
He also called on African governments to engage private investors in the water and sanitation sectors, emphasizing that without increased funding from both the public and private sectors, AfWASA congresses risk becoming mere talk shops, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars without tangible results.
AFWASA CONGRESS 2025: KEY OUTCOMES AND RESOLUTIONS
The AfWASA Congress 2025 emphasized the urgent need to integrate climate-resilient solutions into the design, development, and operation of water and sanitation infrastructure. Ensuring equitable and sustainable water resource management was a central focus, alongside expanding environmental protection and catchment restoration efforts.
In addressing water management challenges, stakeholders committed to strengthening utility management across urban, rural and vulnerable communities. The adoption of innovative frameworks to maintain the functionality and sustainability of water supply systems was also highlighted.
AMCOW (African Ministers’ Council on Water) reaffirmed its commitment to the Post-Africa Water Vision 2025 and Agenda 2063, underscoring the importance of long-term strategic planning.
Sanitation management emerged as a priority, with plans to accelerate access through innovative financing mechanisms, technology adoption and partnerships. Improving sanitation data management was recognized as essential for better planning, resource mobilization and service accountability.
The need for increased fecal sludge treatment facilities was also emphasized, given the high reliance on non-sewered sanitation systems across the continent. Capacity development, communication, and partnerships were identified as key drivers of progress. The newly established African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWASA) was tasked with delivering cost-effective and equitable capacity-building programs.
Strengthening existing collaborations and fostering new partnerships were seen as critical steps toward improving utility performance and expanding service coverage.
Governance and financing remain major concerns. Improving utility performance and operational efficiency is essential to closing financing gaps. The congress encouraged leveraging financial products from development partners while also exploring borrow- ing opportunities within domestic financial markets.
Stakeholder engagement was highlighted as crucial in creating an enabling regulatory environment for cost-reflective tariffs. Reducing dependence on foreign aid and establishing adaptive, accountable and transformational leadership in the water sector were also underscored.
Research, technology and innovation were recognized as vital components in achieving long-term sustainability. Increasing investments in research and embracing digital transformation in utility operations were recommended to enhance efficiency.
A “Do It Yourself ” approach to problem-solving was also encouraged to foster self-reliance within the sector.
The success of these commitments depends on effective implementation, increased financing, and stronger government leadership. As African countries prepare for the 2026 AfWASA Congress in Cameroon, the key challenge remains: will leaders translate their pledges into tangible action, or will this be another cycle of unfulfilled promises?
